Is the Mizuno Wave Rider or the New Balance 880 lighter?

The Wave Rider 30, by 0.7 oz in a men's US 9 (9.4 oz against 10.1 oz).

Can I switch from the Mizuno Wave Rider to the New Balance 880?

Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 2 mm (8 mm on the Wave Rider 30, 6 mm on the 880 v15), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.

Which is more cushioned, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the New Balance 880?

The Wave Rider 30, on stack height: 42.5 mm under the heel against 40.5 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.

Which costs more, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the New Balance 880?

The Wave Rider 30, by $10 at list ($150 against $140). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.

Mizuno Wave Rider vs New Balance 880

Comparing the current Wave Rider 30 and 880 v15. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Drop is the real difference: 6 mm on the 880 v15 against 8 mm on the Wave Rider 30. Coming off the Wave Rider 30, the 880 v15 loads your calves and Achilles harder for the first couple of weeks. Both sit in the same role (daily trainer). The 880 v15 lists $10 lower.

Mizuno Wave Rider 30Stock unverifiedMen's at Amazon Women's
New Balance 880 v15Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Wave Rider 30 · 2026

880 v15 · 2025

Every spec, side by side

Spec	Wave Rider 30	880 v15
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	9.4 oz	10.1 oz
Widths	D, 2E	D, 2E
Upper	Engineered knit with an updated heel counter	Single-layer engineered mesh with a gusseted padded tongue
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	42.5 mm	40.5 mm
Forefoot stack	34.5 mm	34.5 mm
Drop	8 mm	6 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Dual-layer nitrogen-infused Enerzy NXT, softer over firmer	Full-length Fresh Foam X on a rockered max-stack platform
Plate	Full-length plant-based PEBAX RNEW Wave plate	None
VALUE
List price at launch	$150	$140

Which line changes its ride more often?

The Wave Rider has done it 3 times in 7 versions, most recently with the Wave Rider 30 in 2026, and the 880 has done it 2 times in 6 versions, most recently with the 880 v15 in 2025. If you want a shoe you can rebuy without reading a review first, the 880 has the steadier record.

Buy the Wave Rider 30

Stock unverified

Men's: See what's available Women's: See what's available

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026.

Buy the 880 v15

Stocked at Amazon

Men's: Check price at Amazon Women's: Check price at Amazon

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026.

Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Mizuno Wave Rider lineage and the New Balance 880 lineage track every version and what changed in each update.

Questions runners ask

Is the Mizuno Wave Rider or the New Balance 880 lighter?: The Wave Rider 30, by 0.7 oz in a men's US 9 (9.4 oz against 10.1 oz).
Can I switch from the Mizuno Wave Rider to the New Balance 880?: Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 2 mm (8 mm on the Wave Rider 30, 6 mm on the 880 v15), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
Which is more cushioned, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the New Balance 880?: The Wave Rider 30, on stack height: 42.5 mm under the heel against 40.5 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.
Which costs more, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the New Balance 880?: The Wave Rider 30, by $10 at list ($150 against $140). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.

Updated August 7, 2026.